porsche 911 driving school: opinions/experiences?

[robmog]

alas, i just turned 50, and realized i'm never gonna get that new 911 turbo.
or at least that when i could afford it (no more kids college expenses), i'd be in my 70's and the fastest thing i should be driving is a motorized wheelchair. so, the wife wants to send me to driving school and let me play steve mcqueen.
anybody try this already? its pretty pricy and i could buy some nice tools and a lift
to work on my two pieces of sh#*.
opinions appreciated.
http://www.porschedriving.com/
thanks,
bob

[GaryR]

If you don't own a 997 AND you have been to at least one DE I wouldn't bother. Why not have your wife spend the same money for about 10 DE's and $1500 worth of safety equipment for your car?

Two days of follow the leader, even if you get Dave Murray as your instructor, just wouldn't do it for me and to run in their "Masters" program you have to go through their 1st program..

PCA, DE's, your car being driven the way it was intended. The beginner's group (usually called Green) is very slow and completely safe. I also started at 50 (a year ago!) and am quite addicted at this point, as you may be able to tell from my signature.

What car do you drive?

[robmog]

i have a 944 turbo and a 72 911e that i'm restoring.
upstate ny PCA has an active DE program at watkins glen.
i haven't yet participated due to time constraints.
thanks for your input gary.
bob

[GaryR]

My pleasure Bob. Keep in mind that you are welcome at ALL PCA Regions DE's and there is one at WGI about every weekend all summer! Then there is Limerock, Mid-Ohio, Pocono, Mt. Tremblant, and others not out of the question for you. The 944 Turbo, prepped right, is a great track car. Are you going all original on the 72 or hot-rodding it up a bit? That would make a fantastic track/street car with the proper set up as well!

[robmog]

its in pretty good shape, and with the crazy valuations lately, i'll probably keep it original. then sell it off to get something better and newer.
bob

[gerry100]

I agree w Gary R, besides after you go to the Porsche Drving school you'll want to go to DE anyway.

Your are lucky that you've got a great car, live near WGI (a fun track)and even have a great drive to get there ( 20W to Caz, south on 13 to Ithaca and rte 79 across).

From your mention of age, I'm guessing that you are worried about reflexes etc. Reflexes have very little to do with it at this level, it's more about balance, coordination , rhythm and "smoothness".

The fact that you want to drive a Porsche instead of 4x4 qualifies you.

I started at 51 and am enjoying myself immensely. When I get old I'll go back to golf.

[lateapex911]

I wouldn't mind doing the Porsche thing, but aftr tlooking at the schedules and the cost, I would say take the money and buy track time. I think that PCA has great instruction (I know CVR does) and really track time is what it is all about.

Or spend the money on Skip Barber, and get a more theoretical education, in a formula car.

But nearly 4K will buy a set of track wheels and tires, a helmet and a bunch of DEs for that 944 turbos, which is a great track car.

[robmog]

bump for the weekend.
anyone else out there actuall do this?
bob

[GaryR]

Rob -

Go do a search on the Rennlist forums, you will get a lot of varied responses...

[Dantilla]

Another vote for local DE's.

I ran my old 944 turbo at several of them. Lots more track time per dollar than the Porsche school.

[Jon Merck]

I've done the Drivers Education thing for a couple of years (I'm 44), slowly progressing through the ranks (signed off to run solo!). The great part is you can use any vehicle, of course I drive the 911 (these cars are made for this stuff). I did Road Atlanta this weekend (what a blast!) and there was every kind of car you could imagine.

Use either car you can't hurt them. Part of the enjoyment for me is prepping my car for an event (oil change/valve adjustment, check/change brake pads, checking all mechanical aspects).

Safety is top priority at these events and making sure the basics are in good shape on your car is required (technical inspection). You don't have to have anything special on your car to do a DE, but you will need a helment. Passing is limited and under the control of the driver. In other words no one passes you unless you signal them it is okay.

There are several groups that are not porsche focused that would allow you to enter. Local sportscar clubs and groups like NASA (National Sports Car Association). These groups (as well as PCA,POC and others)systematically teach you the aspects of car control and track management. All this is done through classroom instruction and driving experience.

Go have fun and learn how to drive fast safely!

[BRB-83-911SC]

Bob - OT, but noticed you are from Cooperstown! I grew up there, lived on Delaware St., CCS class of 81, still have family there, and get "home" quite often. I hope to make the trip there in my SC this summer. Small world!

[robmog]

thanks to all who replied.
once again, pelicans have come through.
brian,
small world indeed, you have a pm.
bob

[pmajka]

I havent done a DE yet, but i am planning on it..



You will be in the Green group. you will Finally get to take turns at around 70MPH without worring if a cop or traffic is coming the other way when you drift the rear.

Do not be discouraged by what i am about to tell you. And DE'ers, help me out with the list.

1. helmet must be Saftey rated (ANSI or SNELL) and cant be more than 5 yrs old.
2. Brake fluid must be no older than 3 mos and has to be race rated fluid. Proof required.

3. Not required but you REALLY REALLY should get an Insurance Rider that allows you to go on a race track, Your regular insurance Most likely wont cover any damages to your car, god forbid you do have an oops.

4. No Short Sleeves, must have at least long sleeve Tshirt.

5. your car has to be Tech inspected Prior to Track event. PCA or SCCA groups in your local area can help...Ya get to meet nice people too!
5a. you wont pass tech with out meeting 1 and 2

6. Little help here guys......

From what i have been told after 1 DE, you need a new T-Shirt that Says
"Welcome, to your new Addiction!"

[GaryR]

Here is a link to CVR's latest DE primer, has a LOT of general info in it also..

http://www.cvrpca.org/de/forms/06_de_guide.pdf

[David E. Clark]

I agree with all those who say to do the local DEs. But it seems to me that this is a time to be honest with yourself. Do you really have the desire (and time) to commit to drivers ed? How full is your "honey do" jar? Look at the above link - great stuff but it requires a pretty large commitment on your part. If you won't be able to (or don't have the time to) commit to the DEs, you might be better off with the single Porsche Drivers School. It is a once in a lifetime experience - just like your 50th birthday!

[hoff944]

My fiance just gave me a gift certificate for the Porsche Driving Experience as a wedding gift. I'm probably going this August. Its the one day course, but I'll be sure to post my experience. My experience behind the wheel is limited to just a few autocrosses here and there. I'm looking forward to it. It's probably the only time I'll get to drive a 997.

[89911]

I group the "Porsche Driving Experience" more with the Richard Petty Nascar experience. More of a rich guy appreciation thing then a true car control experience. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure it is fun, but I agree with the others and would recommend DE's or a driving school like Barbers if you want to spend that kind of money.

[Dueller]

Unless you're really in the market for a 997 and want to (have the) $$$ to blow, I'd agree with all those who suggest you get into DE's. And that 944T IS a sweet track car. I second the notion that you could spend the same amount of money ( or less) on a set of track tires/rims, some basic safety equipment, and many DE's for the Porsche driving experience.

To paraphrase someone's tagline I saw in here...Race the Porsche you got, not the one you want

[Dueller]

Here's a PCA link that has a lot of FAQ's, etc you may want to look at:

http://www.pca.org/drivers_ed/faq.html